How I Can Help You Make the Most of a Renovation Budget

You know when you scroll through Pinterest and find that breathtaking room - be it a glamorous kitchen or a tranquil bedroom - and think: “If only I could afford that?” What if I told you that you can achieve amazing things with reasonable budgets? I help my clients do it all the time and get some great results without breaking the bank!

Here are some of my tricks: 

D - I - Why Buy It When You Can Make It?

Terrible pun aside, DIY is a golden asset to have on your team when you decorate. To someone who isn’t super handy, the thought of getting your hands dirty can be daunting but a lot of DIY projects are a breeze!

For example, a simple wall framed print can cost anywhere from $35-150, it can be a little ridiculous! One trick I use all of the time is buying a simple frame from Walmart or Hobby Lobby and printing a photo from the internet. This is a super simple DIY that anyone can do for $1-10 but you get the exact same effect.

Next time you’re in the décor aisle, whip out your phone, open Hometalk or Pinterest, and see what you can make instead of buy!

Use What You’ve Got

A gut job isn’t always the answer. A lot of times the existing rooms just needs some TLC to shine again! In the case of this kitchen, I used lots of thrifty tricks to make this space look magazine ready without the magazine price tag.  

1. Instead of getting new cabinets, we took the existing cabinet doors and added trim, antique hardware, and chalk-painted them.
2. We stained the existing floors, instead of installing new floors.
3. Rather than having a custom kitchen island made, we took a piece of furniture and had an electrician install the stovetop on it.
4. The countertops are a beautiful speckled solid surface which is man-made and much less expensive than a natural stone.
5. We sourced an electric hearth, rather than the very costly process of having a fireplace installed!

Forget About the Name Brand

So often I have clients who think they MUST get designer furniture/décor and that people will find out if they use more affordable sites but that is absolutely not the case! Affordable stores like At Home, Wayfair, Birch Lane, etc. have been stepping up their game lately and producing gems that look like they could be from Z-Gallerie or Pottery Barn.

In the case of this mermaid bathroom, I was able to accomplish a brighter and more colorful look with some paint and tile from Home Depot and a canvas painting from Wayfair!

I hope this post inspired you! Tired of a space in your home and ready for a transformation? Post a photo of your room in the comments below to get free design advice for your space!

Don't be afraid to post a messy room - we've all been there